Calling the state's attempt to curtail the spread of zebra mussels and Asian carp a "war" that unfortunately has become a part of life, University of Minnesota Prof. Peter Sorensen said Thursday that a proposed new research center at the U would give the state a fighting chance against what seems like an onslaught of aquatic invasive species.

"It's sort of now or never," Sorensen said at a State Capitol news conference announcing legislation offered by Sen. John Carlson, R-Bemidji, to establish the university center. "I think people can now feel that someone is on their side."

Weary national Republicans breathed a collective sigh of relief on Wednesday, a day after voters knocked out their own party's scandal-plagued candidate in deep-red Alabama. Yet all is not well in a party confronted with new rounds of infighting and a suddenly shrinking Senate majority heading into next year's midterm elections.